Retaining wall construction



Yin 25, 1936 s. L. RAVIER RETAINNG WALL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet@ Filed Dec.

/ vll NSI;

jai/2- )205 le? 16.2? Z" .Z

101103103 Zai Invenr.'

101 avr,

-April 28, 1936. s. L. RAVIER RETAINING WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. l2, 1923 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 12, 1928, Serial No. 325,567 In France December 15, 1927 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of retaining walls formed from either precast blocks or masonry or formed in certain cases in situ of concrete or reinforced concrete.

A main object of the invention is to reduce the cost of forming a wall Without however diminishing the strength, stability and other desirable properties thereof.

The invention comprises the formation of a wall which is substantially hollow and whose cross section is such that a relatively small cross section is secured at the bottom of the Wall while a far larger cross section is obtained at the top of the wall.

An essential feature of the invention is to so construct the wall that the slope of the filling 1ocated in back of the wall approaches as near as possible within reason the natural slope of the iilling under the effect of gravity by providing upon said wall retaining surfaces or back curtains of adequate conguration as to diminish the thrust of the filling upon said wall.

Also in the further carrying out of this particular feature, whenever the maximum thickness of the wall may become unreasonably great, the invention contemplates permitting the thrust to exert itself against the back curtain only upon part of the height of the wall and allowing the lling to attain its natural slope inside a portion of the wall. This is accomplished by eliminating portions oi the back curtain along the height of the wall thereby nullifying the thrust of the filling at such eliminated portions.

A further object of the invention is to provide supporting ribs and a ceiling in order to provide an approach from the back of the wall to a position substantially vertical above the foot of -the front side of the wall, and also to control the amount of the filling, if any, which may be permitted inside of the wall.

It is the purposevof the invention through the furnishing of ribs and a ceiling to provide empty recesses in the wall in order to secure a wall of minimum weight and to combine this advantage of minimum weight with the advantage of minimum thrust aiforded by the back curtains which control the thrust.

It is a still further object of the invention to combine the reduced weight and thrust and arrange the elements of the invention in such a manner as to obtain a resultant force which will pass through substantially the middle third of the base of the wall.

With these and other objects in View which will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention set forth below, the invention comprises the combination and arrangement of elements set forth below claimed in the claims and shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View taken on (Cl. fil-39) the section line I I of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the section line 2 2 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 3 is a similar cross sectional View taken along the section line 3 3 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arriows,

Figure 4 is across sectional View extending longitudinally along a composite wall formed of various constructional blocks and elements taken along a section 4 4 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the composite wall shown in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view along the section line 6 6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the section line 1 1 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 8 is a View taken on the section line 8 8 of Figure 13,

Figure 9 isa similar view taken on the section line 9 9 of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the section line Ill-I of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 11 is a sectional View taken on the section line I I I I of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 12y is a vertical cross sectional View taken on the section line I2 I2 of Figure 13 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 13 is a sectional view of another form of composite wall extending longitudinally along the length of said wall in a vertical plane, and

Figure 14 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the composite wall shown in Figure 13 taken along the section line I4 I4 of Figure 13.

In the drawings, particularly Figures 4 and 13, there is illustrated a wall formed of composite elements. It is to be understood however, that these elements in certain walls may be made alike throughout the length of the wall or various combinations of the same may be used to satisfy certain local conditions.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 and Figure 4, there is disclosed a concrete hollow retaining Wall formed by piling hollow concrete blocks upon one another. The vertical pillars IUI and |02 are formed by superposing blocks II, I2, and I3 which have a central vertical rib I6 with back curtains 25 as shown more particularly in Figure 6. By the construction indicated, the entire block has a T section as clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7 and the blocks are of trapezoidal shape, increasing in size as shown in Figure l, so as to form a rear wall I I5 inclined against the filling so as to reduce the thrust oi the lling.

In Figure 2 a modification of the pillar is shown forming the vertical pillar I 04 as illustrated in Figures 4 to '7 inclusive. In this case each block is provided with front curtains 20 corresponding to the rear curtains 25 so that a juxta position of the blocks will form a continuous vertical wall at the front similar to the inclined wall at the rear.

In order to prevent the pressure of the blocks upon the sub-structure or ground upon which they are disposed from becoming too great, and especially if such sub-structure should consist of rather poor soil, there is provided a bed of rubble or sand |I and in addition there is provided at the bottom of the lower blocks II wings or extensions |8 which are generally of sufficient size so as to contact adjacent Wings or extensions I8 and thereby form a continuous base for the pillars as shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5.

In some cases it is advantageous to further increase the base by forming upon the lower blocks enlargements or extensions I9 at the front, thereof, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and in some cases Wherever desired, similar projections or extensions 20 may be provided at the rear as shown in Figure 2.

The upper blocks I3 are surmounted at the rear by a ceiling which in the section of wall shown in Figure 1 is formed by extensions or wings 2| integral with the central vertical rib IS. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 2 however, in order to increase the stability of the pillar of blocks under construction they are surmounted by blocks or slabs of concrete or reinforced concrete 2|a forming the ceiling which are arranged upon the vertical ribs I6 which are recessed for this purpose.

Another modification of the invention is shown with relation to pillars |03 and I 04 as illustrated in Figure 4 in which the slabs constituting the ceiling are made in the form of small arches 2 Ib.

At the front of the Wall a coping |4 is arranged. This may be formed in situ upon the blocks I3 and may be a solid integral piece such as shown in Figure 1 or it may be of lighter construction as shown in Figure 2.

The blocks II, I2, and I3 shown in Figure 1 and which form the pillars |0| and |02 and also |03, have small lateral auxiliary bracing lugs or spacing elements 23 serving to space the blocks constituting each pillar with respect to the adjacent pillars against buckling. Upon the pillar I 03 these spacing elements 23 are as shown particularly in Figure 5, made somewhat shorter in order to bear against the front curtains provided at the front of the blocks constituting the pillar |04.

In some cases the spacing elements 23 may be constituted by merely disposing the ends of wooden rods in the concrete or masonry. 'I'hese rods of wood may in some cases be disposed out of line with the front of the wall.

In accordance with the section of wall shown in Figure 2 and the wall portions |05 and |06a as shown in Figures 4 to '7 inclusive, each block is provided with three ribs |63, I6b and I 6C, thereby forming two internal recesses 21 and 28, which recesses similar to the recesses formed with the single vertical rib are to remain empty in order to keep the total weight of the wall as light as possible.

In the form of invention illustrated by the wall portions |06 and |069; the purpose is to render the blocks more stable and also to permit an alternation of the horizontal course of successive blocks as shown clearly in Figure 4. In this case the wall may be constructed as is done with ordinary blocks and the central rib of one block may support the end ribs of two blocks superposed thereon while the adjacent end ribs of the superposed two blocks will in turn support the central rib of the block superposed thereupon. It is obvious that in some cases blocks having more than two internal recesses may be used.

A further modification of the wall is shown in Figure 3 and also illustrated by the pillar |05 shown in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive.

In this case the rear part of the wall is composed of blocks which are arranged vertically similar to the front part, but the thrust against the rear wall formed is reduced in the following manner. In the first place in this construction a slab 2|b is laid as a ceiling upon the upper block in cantilever fashion extending towards the rear, which will provide a sloping of the iilling 29 in the manner shown in Figure 3, thereby eliminating the thrust of the filling upon the rear of the upper blocks for a certain distance. This result is increased by eliminating the rear covering of the lower block so that an opening 30 will be provided by means of which an incline 3| of the iilling is produced at the bottom part of the wall, thereby reducing the thrust thereagainst. In all the other modifications relating to the invention the interior of the wall is designed to be empty, but in this modification the interior of the Wall is allowed to be slightly filled with the iilling so as to reduce the thrust against the wall.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the curtains 25 and 26 as well as the extensions I8 and 2| are given suicient thickness so that they will only become slightly fatigued whereby these elements of the blocks may be made of ordinary non-reinforced concrete or even of masonry. It is for this reason also that these elements are made trapezoidal in shape having a greater thickness at the base thereof.

A further modification of the present invention occurs in connection with retaining walls -1 of terrestrial supports such as along railroad cuts for instance, where the embodiments discussed above are used without any sub-division into blocks and the wall is formed in a single piece throughout from either concrete, reinforced concrete or masonry. Obviously, in such case the spacing elements 23 as shown in Figure 1 and the pillars IGI to |03 will be omitted and the arrangement of the pillars |04 and |06 corresponding to Figure 2 will be the same, in the form of solid vertical ribs, with or without front curtains 26.

It is obvious that the embodiments disclosed above are susceptible of various modifications without departing from the spirit or principle of the invention. Furthermore, the arrangement shown in Figure 1 and in Figure 2 may be used for certain portions in the wall and that of Figure 3 for the remaining portion thereof. Furthermore, the slab 2| shown in Figures 1 and 2 as well as in Figure 3, may be prolonged to the rear and the back curtains connecting the ribs I6 may be dispensed with. It is also obvious that the front of the wall may also be inclined and that the coping wall I 4 may in certain other cases be made to project and the under facing thereof may be made concave.

A further modification of the invention consists in reinforcing the lips of the course of the blocks and the topping surface of the upper blocks by giving to these blocks the form of a trapezoid section as shown in Figure 8 and as illustrated at A-A of Figure 13.

In accordance with a still further modification instead of providing a slope such as disclosed in connection with Figures 1 to 7 at the frontl and rear of the lower blocks, the wall may be made substantially vertical over a small portion adjacent the base at the rear surface of the blocks as shown particularly in Figures 8, 10, and 12 at l and 2.

A still further modication is the provision of the rear face of the wall in the form of a series of steps as shown particularly in Figtue 9,

An arrangement may be used in which the volume of the lower blocks is increased slightly but which are thereby simplified. These blocks at the lower part may be constructed without recesses as shown in Figures 10 and 13 and indicated at B--B of Figure 14. In some instances the upper blocks may be treated in the same manner or there may be provided the same arrangement for other courses of blocks such as one out of every two, for example. v

In some cases the foundation upon which the lower blocks are laid is formed by means of poured concrete beneath the water instead of rough masonry or sand. The concrete is preferably poured in a dredged channel beneath the level specied for the bottom in front of the quay, as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. According to a further variation advantage may be taken of the course of the concrete when poured under water in order to eliminate the enlargement or extension provided at the base of the lower block as shown in Figure 11 and the portion C-C of Figure 13.

In order to facilitate the carrying of the blocks without danger of rupture they may be reinforced with steel bars or wood bars which may be completed by nailing to their ends cross pieces or planks constituting reinforcing frames about the concrete.

A further slight change consists in arrangement provided for retaining walls which have been formed by pouring concrete underneath the water. In this case the wall such as shown in Figure 12 and illustrated at the parts D-D-D in Figures 13 and 14, may be formed by pouring concrete into suitable molds and securing the recesses by means of cores. The slab cover constituting the ceiling for the upper blocks may be made in the form of a series of slabs or reinforced concrete made in situ or prepared elsewhere and the cores removed.

The above disclosure illustrates the manner which I at present consider the preferred form of carrying out the invention, but it is to be understood that all forms of the invention as come within the spirit of the following claims are to be included since it is obvious that various modications may be made therein.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:-

1. A concrete hollow retaining wall executed by piling hollow concrete blocks comprising Vertical ribs disposed perpendicularly to the front of said wall, a ceiling on said ribs, and back curtains between said ribs on the upper part only of the height, the ceiling and back curtains being disposed to prevent the filling from falling between the upper parts of the ribs, and a natural slope of said iilling between the ribs at the base of the wall.

2. A concrete hollow retaining wall executed by piling concrete blocks of I horizontal sections comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicularly to the front of said wall, a ceiling and a front coping wall on said ribs and back curtains between said ribs on the upper part only of the height, the ceiling and back curtains being disposed to prevent the iilling from falling between the upper parts of the ribs, and a natural slope of said Iilling between the ribs at the base of the wall.

3. A concrete hollow retaining wall executed by piling concrete blocks of T and I horizontal sections comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicularly to the front of said wall, a ceiling and a front coping wall on said ribs and back curtains between said ribs on the upper part only of the height, the ceiling and back curtains being disposed to prevent the iilling from falling between the upper parts of the ribs, and a natural slope of said filling between the ribs at the base of the wall.

4. A concrete hollow retaining wall, executed by piling hollow concrete blocks, comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicularly to the front of said wall, a ceiling and a front coping wall on said ribs, and back curtains between said ribs, the ceiling and back curtains being disposed to prevent the lling retained by the wall from falling between the ribs of the wall and an extension of said ceiling back of the ribs, and a natural slope of said lling under said extension of the ceiling.

5. A concrete hollow retaining wall executed by piling concrete blocks comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicularly to the front of said wall, a ceiling resting upon said ribs and projecting to the rear of said wall so that the filling may assume a natural slope below said projecting end of said ceiling, back curtains between said ribs on the upper part only of the height of the wall and the lower part having an opening towards the rear so that the iilling may assume a natural slope between said ribs at the lower portion of said Wall.

6. A concrete hollow retaining wall executed by piling concrete blocks comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicular to the front of said wall, a ceiling resting upon said ribs, back curtains between said ribs on the upper part only of the height of the wall and the lower blocks having an opening towards the rear so that the filling may assume a natural slope between said ribs at the lower portion of said wall.

'7. A concrete hollow retaining wall comprising vertical ribs disposed perpendicular to the front of said wall, a ceiling resting upon said ribs and projecting to the rear of said wall so that the iilling may assume a natural slope below said projecting end of said ceiling, back curtains between said ribs and the upper part only of the height of the wall and the lower part having an opening vtowards the rear so that the filling may assume a natural slope between said ribs at the lower portion of said wall.

SYLVAIN LOUIS RAVIER. 

